Phosphorus has been used in pesticides, nerve gas and napalm - hence it's reputation as "the devil's element" - but it's also the backbone of DNA and RNA, and it's used in metabolic processes. Plus, it gives Coke its tart flavour. As the experts in this episode can attest, phosphorus is complicated. This Element of Surprise segment features the following experts: Chuck Macdonald, Dean, Faculty of Science, Carleton University; Ian Douglas, Water Quality Engineer, City of Ottawa; and Anna Ampaw, PhD student, Chemistry, University of Ottawa.

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